And the shadows and lights are reproduced softer. Right.
This made me thing on another line. If the midtones need to be a bit more contrasty.
Would that call for films with a more pronounced curve, like older films where there is a larger toe and rounded shoulders. The same regarding papers.

The toe of the film and the s-curve of the paper - they work together to create the "preferred" print reproduction in the fourth quadrant. The paper curve was deliberately shaped to make it all come together in the print.

Now any decision to use part of the toe, or go the other way and expose on the straight line, may be important to consider the impact this has on how well your results fit that preferred reproduction curve.